In June of last year, the Supreme Court abolished decades-long affirmative action policies in college admissions, which has led to a 7% increase in Asian American admissions at Columbia University compared to the previous year. As a result of persistent efforts by Asian Americans fighting for equity, this year’s incoming class of 2028 is the first cohort admitted without race being a consideration in the application process. Statistics indicate a significant rise in the proportion of Asian American students among freshman admits at various prestigious schools in New York, while admissions for Black and Hispanic students have declined.
According to the latest admission data from New York University (NYU), Asian American students now make up 27% of this year’s over 5,700 new students, up from 22% last year. Meanwhile, the proportion of students identified as part of “underrepresented minority groups,” which includes Black and Hispanic students, has dropped from 23% to 14%. Additionally, there has been an increase in the percentage of admitted students receiving Federal Pell Grants, and NYU’s new initiative, “The NYU Promise,” which waives tuition for families making under $100,000, may also influence the admissions landscape across different ethnicities.
NYU officials stated that this outcome, following changes in their admissions policy, was “not unexpected” and reaffirmed their commitment to “expanding educational opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds.”
Columbia University’s admissions statistics reflect a similar trend. This year, the percentage of Asian American students admitted rose from 30% to 39%, while the proportion of Black students plummeted from 20% to 12%. The percentage of white students remains stable at around 50%. The university aims to “identify and recruit talent as broadly as possible within legal boundaries.”
Chen Huihua, president of the Coalition of Asian American Children and Families (CACAGNY), remarked that the increase in Asian American admissions this year represents “a significant step forward” and highlights the long-standing discrimination faced by Asian Americans. She noted that the shift in college admissions to drop race as a factor has led to “mismatch” scenarios that are detrimental to both students and schools. However, Chen also pointed out that many schools still attempt to incorporate implicit racial considerations such as income and family criminal history, indicating that Asian American parents must continue their advocacy for equity.
A parent of a Chinese American senior at Stuyvesant High School, where over 70% of the student body is Asian American, shared her perspective, stating, “Based on what I’ve seen, the latest admissions results for Stuyvesant have indeed improved for Asian students. However, it seems low-income families might be benefiting more.” She recognized that increasing admission rates for Asian students is undoubtedly a positive development, but she personally hasn’t noticed a significant difference.
